South Bay Digest

Rolling Hills

For the second time in less than two years, City Clerk June Cunningham is serving as acting city manager until a permanent manager is hired. A city employee for 19 years, Cunningham took over this small city's top administrative job after a three-month contract with Acting City Manager Tom Devereux expired at the end of September. Cunningham served as acting manager for two months early in 1984 when the city was without a permanent manager.

Devereux, formerly city manager in neighboring Palos Verdes Estates, was hired on a $3,500-a-month contract after the death last May 31 of Joseph P. Leach, who had been city manager for only eight months. Mayor Pro Tem Godfrey Pernell said Devereux's major responsibility was recruiting and evaluating candidates for city manager. He said Devereux "did not want to go for the full-time position" and it was a "mutual" decision to let his contract expire.

"The contract was over and I'm now in the job market," Devereux said.

Pernell said there are about 60 candidates for manager. The council hopes to fill the position in early December.

Cunningham, who earns $25,000 a year as clerk, said she will receive an extra $350 a month while serving as manager.